English at Newhaven School

You will study English if you have yet to achieve level 2. This may be at GCSE or Entry Level. We can discuss with you and your parents which option is the most appropriate for you.

We want to provide our students with skills which enrich their lives and help prepare them for the modern world. This includes helping to develop their literacy skills, analytical thinking and confidence in their ability to communicate through spoken language.

KS3 English

English at Ks3 aims to provide the ability and enthusiasm to develop essential skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Students will explore a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts while being exposed to texts from different cultures and eras. Students also have the opportunity to look at works of literature such as poetry, plays and prose.

Key skills
Writing: Spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, vocabulary for effect, language techniques and structural techniques.

Reading: Identifying and interpreting explicit and implicit information, carefully selecting multiple pieces of evidence and exploring various levels of meaning by analysing language used, commenting on writers’ uses of language and structure for meaning and effect using relevant terminology, comparing perspectives and evaluating how successful writers are in achieving their intentions.

Academic writing: Writing analytical ‘What, How, Why, (PETAL) paragraphs and developing layers of analysis in their writing, communicating clearly, effectively and imaginatively using appropriate tone and register, using a range of vocabulary, sentence structures and language devices for impact.

For GCSE English Language you will learn to:

• Read fluently, and with good understanding, a wide range of texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, including literature and literary non-fiction as well as other writing such as reviews and journalism
• Read and evaluate texts critically and make comparisons between texts
• Summarise and synthesise information or ideas from texts
• Use knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and improve their own writing
• Write effectively and coherently using Standard English appropriately
• Use grammar correctly and punctuate and spell accurately
• Acquire and apply a wide vocabulary, alongside a knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology, and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
• Listen to and understand spoken language and use spoken Standard English effectively

You will be assessed on three main skills: reading, writing and speaking and listening

Reading:

• Read 19th, 20th and 21st century texts in a range of genres and types including literature (fiction and non-fiction), essays, reviews and articles.

Writing:

• Write in a variety of text types: letter, report, newspaper report, magazine article, journal, words of a speech, a reasoned argument, descriptive and narrative compositions, essays and reviews.

Speaking and Listening:

• Give a formal presentation of approximately 4–5 minutes, on a theme or topic you choose. Answer spoken questions on the theme or topic for approximately 4–5 minutes.